Letter by Rabbi Shaul Hernfeld, Av Beit Din of Sixau, to the Author of Lechem Shlomo

Letter by Rabbi Shaul Hernfeld, Av Beit Din of Sixau, to the Author of Lechem Shlomo

Important and rare halachic responsum, entirely in the hand of the gaon Rabbi Shaul Hernfeld, Av Beit Din of Sixau, grandson of the Chatam Sofer, and disciple of his uncle, the author of Ktav Sofer. Written to the gaon Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Hernreich, ztzuk"l, Av Beit Din of Tshabe and Shamloy, and author of Lechem Shlomo. 

In his important letter, the Av Beit Din of Sixau writes, inter alia, that there are circumstances under which the dayan can rely on his intuition despite there not being evidence, "It is dependent on the heart of the dayan. If his heart senses that he is G-d-fearing, one may be lenient in relying on the words of his associate." Later on, the Av Beit Din of Sixau mentions his rabbi and teacher, the author of Ktav Sofer, "However the words of the gaon Rabbi Shmuel Binyamin in his responsa [Ktav Sofer] ..." We will point out that the Av Beit Din of Sixau, who was decades older than the author of Lechem Shlomo, refers to him in his letter as "the great luminary."

Refer to the Hebrew catalog text for a brief biography of the writer, Rabbi Shaul Hernfeld, and of the addressee, Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Hernreich.

[1] leaf paper, 14x22 cm. Ink on graph paper, entirely handwritten and signed by the Av Beit Din of Sixau.

Fine condition: Aging stains. Tear in the upper left corner, with damage to two words.